Ukulele Comparison: Enya Nova U vs Lava Music Lava U
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- This is a comparison between the Enya Nova U and the Lava Music Lava U.
00:00 Title Screen
00:04 Tuning
00:17 Sound Samples
01:17 Acoustic Effects Samples
01:36 Introduction to the Comparison
03:14 Price
03:55 Accessories
05:12 Case
07:01 Craftsmanship
08:30 Electronics
10:07 Sound Quality
12:04 Volume
12:27 Appearance
14:14 Value
16:29 Overall
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Thank you, that’s a really thoughtful comparison. Very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks so much for the thorough and helpful comparison!
You are so welcome!
Mahalo for the great comparison!
Thank you for the wonderfully made instrument! And for being a company that stands behind its products.
Great comparison! Thanks!
Thanks, Steve!
This was very very helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
thorough review that will be of much help for those considering
Thank you!
I have been going back and forth between these 2 ukes for months now. Studying other CZcams demos and evaluations I just could not make up my mind. And then I stumbled upon your channel I really appreciate the way you compared these. For a while, the Lava was my front runner based on looks but now I am sure the Enya is right for me. Like you, I prefer the brighter sound. I don't NEED either one but the electronics intrigue me. Thanks for helping me out.
By the way, I am curious about the tuner that you use. Who makes it?
I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching the video. I’m glad it was helpful.
I think Flight does a better application of the entire system (also with Double like the Lava U). So if it were my money, I’d buy the Enya Nova for playing and then a Flight Diana or Sophia for the Soundwave system; concert version is out but not in the US yet.
That is the Jowoom Smart Tuner. It's really quite awesome if you have a large collection of ukuleles. In my case, I now have a lot of ukuleles at home plus the ukuleles at school. While I can tune everything myself, at school it allows me to tune and keep teaching--which is a win/win situation.
@@UkeStuff Thank you
@@UkeStuff I did not know Flight makes these too. I do not want another tenor so it's the Enya for now. I'll want a low G for it. Who's unwound would you recommend?
Hello ukustuff I was wondering the lava ukulele dose it come with a built-in tuner? Or do you have to have a separate tuner.
Thanks for your comment. It does not have an onboard tuner, and if memory serves, it does not even come with a tuner.
I agree. The Enya wins in the most important catagory. Sound quality. I have a Lava U. But I was far more impressed with what I was hearing. I was almost embarrassed for the Lavas raw sound.
The case is mind blowing and my favorite feature of the electronics is the delay on the Lava U. The Enya is a great value. If I have ever seen a fair and balance and accurate revue in my entire 60 years of life this is it.
That is very kind of you to say. I thought the case was cool, but completely impractical. At that price, they should have included a custom gig bag as well...not to mention the custom strap. Still...many people love their Lava U, and I get it. I'm more of an Enya Nova guy.
Another factor adding to the cost is that the lava u straps have only just now become available andare $159.00 on Amazon. Almost half
the price of the uke…but they do throw in a cable and a few picks!
I saw that and it leaves me speechless. I’ll be reviewing a Flight Diana in the concert, and I suspect that the wood (laminate back, solid top) responds more favorably to the actuator (speaker) than plastic. Granted, it isn’t going to be as rugged as a Lava in terms of withstanding conditions, but you can’t truly beat up on the Lava, either...and if it sounds better, it will be pretty clear where the $400 is better spent.
Thank you so much for this review, I’m torn between these two since they are both so beautiful and because I’m importing from China to Brazil- both are extremely expensive here
For me, it’s the Enya. But I do know people who love their Lavas!
@@UkeStuff it’s much cheaper too! I guess I’ll go with this one 😍
I love my Enya, it has a unique beautiful sound. Did it not come with delay at some point? Mine has the delay feature with it. I've seen several videos on it and the delay is not showcased.
Also, I've seen you say on other videos about adding side dots. How should i go about doing that?
Thanks for all the efforts you put in your videos, best reviews I've seen!
(PS after reading other comments..... Mine doesn't have the jiggle problem. Also, mine came with a little white cloth bag, I've found that you can use that bag to hold your extra strings, picks, capo and tuner, and let it rest in the case under the neck. I was initially disapointed with the lack of a compartment, but this actually works out well.)
Thanks for the nice comments.
I do not think the Enya has ever come with Delay. I'd rather have Delay than Chorus.
If you've purchased yours recently, then Enya probably addressed that wiring issue. There are two ukuleles companies that respond very quickly in their production runs. One of those is Enya.
For side dots, you have a few options. You could use a white Sharpie, a dot of white nail polish, or even a vinyl dot (3mm?). None of those will be permanent, but they can last a while.
@@UkeStuff cool cool thanks. (yeah mine has delay in it, you can't have chorus and delay going at the same time. The third dial is for both, first part is chorus, then switches to the delay feature as you get to the halfway point.)
@@UkeStuff The current listing for the Enya with Acoustic Plus on Amazon shows side dots on the neck. I had to look at the black version to see them. www.amazon.com/Electric-Nova-EQ-Beginner-TransAcoustic/dp/B07WRV48MY/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=Enya%2Bukulele&qid=1626376061&sr=8-9&th=1 Upon closer inspection, it appears that only the black version has side dots. Duh?
@Alan It is possible that they have added that; the newest Tenor has them for sure. But once a review is posted, it is “locked” into place. I’m always open to reviewing updated models-but so few manufacturers go back and change things for the better on their instruments. Most “cheapen” them over time. There are exceptions, such as Flight and Enya, that seem to keep updating their models.
I have both ukuleles and have had them for awhile. The Enya I have both the electric and the acoustic. I always recommend the Enya to beginners because you get everything you need. The Lava appears to be better quality metal frets are a plus with the side dots and amazing tuners. I don't like the molded black plastic frets with no side dots on the Enya makes it harder to play. I like the warmer deeper tome of the Lava over the Enya with the original strings it sounds plastic to me. I clanged the strings to a low G but you can not use a wound low G on the Enya it will cut through the frets, I had to find an unwound low G Worth strings makes one. This is not an issue with the Lava, You also need to file out a bigger space in the saddle of the Enya to fit the low G as it is fatter. The change in strings will change the sound. The Enya sounds great as does the Lava which has Worth low G strings on it. There are more fun options on the Lava for different sounds. Neither one of these are my every day ukulele (wood) but they are for travel and fun! Both ukes are great but the lower price of the Enya makes it more accessible but a little less quality on some fronts. I love all my ukes and also love the variety in sound each one offers.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I changed my 23" ukulele to low G today, i always feel the pitch no correct but actually seems ok, i feel the low G very unsolid, does anyone tell me more about this, and the chord bass voice change, i may need to learn some low G chord hand shape.
Hows the finger space for bigger hands?
I have size L men’s hands-no issues with either. The Lava will be wider; but the radius fretboard of the Enya makes it surprisingly playable. You can see my full reviews of each here on this channel.
Would love to see a video comparing the Populele 2 Pro to the Lava. Lava was a clear winner for sound quality to my ears. Love the bigger mids and lows that actually exist and sustain. The Lava also appeared louder on my local vu meter. Conclusion is suspect! Kidding. It's a uke comparison video. How could anyone not love that? It does beg the question though. Are you Enya sponsored?
Hello! I am NOT Enya sponsored, but I do get along with them (as with many brands) and have been sent a few ukuleles over the years-by Enya (and quite a few other companies). Neither the Nova U with electronics nor the Lava are in my possession any longer. The Lava just wasn’t for me, but as I mention, if you love a deeper, mid-range sound, it might very well be the choice for you.
I reviewed the original Populele and did not buy or receive the Populele 2 for review, though I have not asked.
As a note, the channel only makes $25-$33 a month, and very few people make donations towards the work. As a result, I generally spend my own money on ukuleles I want, or companies reach out to me to review a model. I don’t have any large ukulele stores near me that can loan instruments for review.
@@UkeStuff Fair enough. Thanks again.
The Enya now has a back strap on their cases. They also have delay.
Yes, they do. When you record a video, you have what existed at that time. More recent reviews, including the Soprano and Tenor versions of the Nova include the strap on the case…which can come off (and thankfully reattached). As for the effects module, I reviewed that, too. You can find that review here as well!
Interesting review. For the money seems Enya is the winner. However if I was buying, I don’t think either would be my go to ukulele
I live in a Northern climate where I have to humidify all of my solid or solid top ukuleles, and even the laminates benefit from the humidification. The Enya stays out all year, and also goes along with me to school, without hesitation. It may not be the right ukulele for everyone, but it certainly "checks the boxes" for me.
I will add that I generally take the Enya Nova I own without the effects. So far, on the plastic ukuleles, the effects have far less of an acoustic impact as you would want. I'm planning on trying a Flight Diana with the Soundwave in the future, but it might be a while.
I think I like the Enya better, but I've heard that it is fragile and can break easily, so I'm a bit worried (I want a durable ukulele that I wouldn't have to worry too much about taking with me everything without worrying to break it). Just because of that I'm wondering if I should get the lava u instead (they're basically at the same price where I live)
I've dragged the soprano and concert version with me all over the place; you can see my Frankenenya video here on the channel, where I intentionally tried to break the Enya Concert and only did so when dropping it on the strap button.
I did drop my original Enya tenor once, and it broke.
I was able to glue both together again; the Frankenenya was much more damaged and is playable only as a demonstration; the Tenor just doesn't look pretty.
For me, it will come down to two factors for you.
1) Which sound do you like better? Darker or brighter? If darker, Lava U. If brighter, the Enya.
2) Which shape do you like better? If you like a pineapple body with round shapes, Lava U; more traditional (although contemporary), Enya.
Both are well-designed plastic based ukuleles. You can't o wrong with either.
@@UkeStuff thank you =) I've ordered the tenor Enya with the metal frets in the end (I should receive it today). Since I don't have a non wooden concert ukulele yet I might order the lava U in concert size in the future (I want to have at least one carbon fiber/plastic ukulele in each size, so I can let them ouf of their cases without thinking about humidity)
To me the Nova sounds more “chipper”, if that makes sense 😅
It’s brighter for sure; with more rhythmic attack than the Lava. Some people really love the Lava sound, though. It is all subjective in terms of what you like!
Personally I thought the Lava U sounded muddy compared to the Enya.
I don't disagree with you. I like the crispness of the Enya's sound. But I know there are a lot of people whose ears hear things differently than mine--and I just want to make sure that I make sure that I let people know that my statements about sound are just my opinions.
But were these compared with new string sets or are they compared to whatever they came in the box with?
Both with the string sets they came with. I haven't changed either.
@@UkeStuff so lava could still win? xD
@@kenzuleisti2779 I have the lava u and hated it. I always felt it was the strings that I hated the most. I put a red low G on it and that makes it a little more fun...but I still don't love it. I play my enya MAD (love it!) all the time, so haven't gotten around to changing out the rest of the strings on the lava.
The Lava wouldn’t win for me due to the sound, and the strings won’t fix all of that.
Thanks for the video, current my offer the price differences are around usd40 only, i am still thinking....
It’s all up to you in terms of sound preference. You will likely need to buy a different gig bag for either. The price of the Lava must have decreased; I have not looked for a long time.
@@UkeStuff i bought lava u finally, the actual sound volume (effect on)not louder than my other concert ukulele (the sound box thicker) is the issue, feel the sound are not worth the money which similar as my current few cheap wooden ukuleles. The good thing which can plug into guitar amp which i have one electric ukulele now, sound good feel with amp built-in overdrive. I dont know other electric accoustic ukulele have similar sound effect output? (I dont have any addon electric guitar effect actually, i have a fender guitar amp and a ibanaz guitars only)
Leolani, Flight, and Enya also have ukuleles with effects. Interestingly, Kala does not (I would expect them to at this point).
the Anya can be amplified?
If you buy the AcousticPlus version, yes. The standard Enya Nova cannot.
I have played both. For me it's not even close. Even without the price factor I prefer the Enya. When you factor in price it's a complete no brainer. The Enya wins in a landslide.
I would agree with you, but I totally understand that not everyone loves what I love.
That’s a bummer about the Enya case handle. It’s a hard decision to pick between the two, but I’d probably pick the Enya.
I do wonder if the metal frets make the Lava U something that you could pass on to your kids, and if the Nova will wear out long before that.
As for the handle...I kind of think the Enya case in total is a bummer. It is cool how they match the different colors, but the handle was not well designed, there's no storage, and the zipper function is goofy. Eyna does their gig bags SO much better and I wish they would have just made a travel-sized gig bag for the instrument instead of the shell.
UkeStuff that’s a good point about the longevity of the Lava uke.
It seems you like backpack straps for a ukulele case. I’m in the same camp. Carrying by a handle is fine for transport from a car trunk to inside your house. But a backpack style is so much better for a festival or travel. I’m assuming that you had a comfortable case for your one day Los Angeles ukulele festival trip.
Actually, I fly by Spirit Airlines to the LA ukulele festival. I've gone three times now, each all in a one day journey. Get up at 3, fly out at 6, get to the festival around 8:30 (two time zones), fly back at 6pm, get home around 1am. It's a whirlwind day, but it makes it possible to participate dirt cheap. Tickets have been $125 (or less) ROUND TRIP each time (flying out on a Saturday helps, and we are members of the Flight $9 fare club...although we've never seen a fare less than $35 with all the airport fees).
Anyway...back on topic...Flight only allows one small bag, so I have usually taken a backpack with me that contains my Ohana sopranino. Last year I brought my Flight Travel Ukulele (TUS-35). I need to get a concert backpacker like the ones you make!
@@UkeStuff Seeing your video about the one day trip to the LA uke fest makes me want to try that too. Although I think they canceled the fest this year. I'm a little closer to CA, but I think you still get a better deal on flights. :) But I can get reasonable flights to Long Beach or LAX from Salt Lake.
My little backpacker ukes would wrok well for a qucik trip like that. You could fit everything for the day (and a ukulele) in a little shoulder bag.
Hello ukustuff I just received the lava u 26" tenor ukulele with all the effects when I opened the package the lava u was a acoustic on effects buttons on this ukulele
. I paid 319.00 dollars for a plan acoustic ukulele plus shipping. Anyway I'll keep this ukulele for traveling I'll never deal with the lava company again and for 180.00 dollars I'll order the enya nova with the effects I want thinks ukustuff
Do you mean that you paid for the version with effects and were shipped the acoustic model? If so, return it. That's too much of cost difference to live with it.
The only real equivalent to this right now is the new Enya Nova Pro Acoustic Plus, which is $200 on Enya's Website. (The new model has the metal frets). If you need metal frets on a polycarbonate/carbon fiber ukulele, that's the direction I would go.
The Lava U is very cool, but I do like the tone and overall feel of even the Nova U concert better.
And if you are looking for effects, the solid top/laminate models of the Soundwave Flight Ukuleles have a far better sounding system, as the wood simply sounds better.
@@UkeStuff thank you ukestuff great information man.
I’ve watched this video (specifically the sound demos) multiple times and I’m still torn! I’ve been infatuated with both for about a month flip flopping lol
While the price difference is significant-I personally think it comes down to sound. If you think the Enya sounds too bright, go with the Lava. Barry Maz recently reviewed the Populele 2 and liked it better than the Lava, especially for the price, but you wouldn’t get the electronics with it.
The Lava is a serious financial consideration, so you are smart to take your time with the decision.
UkeStuff thanks for the quick reply! I discovered the Enya first and liked the sound immediately, but after hearing the Lava I find the Enya too bright and jingly. I’m not sure if that’s just how it’s coming off in recordings. I’m also wary about the jingling internal cord you mentioned on the Enya but don’t know if it’s a deal breaker.
I did see his review of the Populele 2. I don’t like the round off center sound hole, and I do want the electronics of either the Enya or Lava.
UkeStuff I’ve also heard a lot of great reviews for the Enya mention how barre chords are easier due to the radiused fretboard. I know the Lava has a radiused fretboard too. How do they compare for barre chord playability?
I think the Enya is a little easier, but it's strange...its spacing (nut width and strings) are closer than I normally like--so they managed to get the ergonomics just right.
As for the internal cord jiggle, I'm expecting that Enya has solved that at this point--I haven't seen anyone say anything about. But I also get the sense that they probably sell 10 acoustic models for every 1 electric. I don''t know that for sure, but that is how it seems to be.
UkeStuff thanks for the feedback. Looking at photos and videos the neck does look pretty narrow compared to other ukuleles
What do you think which one better? enya nova u vs populele
Populele 2
I can't speak for the newest Populele that is coming (yet), but I'd say the Nova. If you want light-up fretboard technology, Enya has one of those, too...with different software...and the devices do NOT speak to each other.
@@UkeStuff thanks for the reply but i don't care about the smart teach i only want i better carbon ukulele in a cheap price i have a hricane tenor i am giving it to my sister so i was searching for a tenor carbon ukulele in less than 100 dollars but i heard the enya nova u closer t a tenor
Sorry my English not good 😅
I think I would still go with the Enya. If you really want the best option right now, it's probably the tenor with the metal frets.
The Lava U charging $140 for a strap is just sillypants ridiculous.
Agreed!
You mentioned $399 was expensive...without considering the currencies, the Lava costs R$5,000 here in Brazil 😂😂
-_______________-
I'm from Russia, and I can buy the tenor version of Lava for 268€ +40€ shipping and 10€ customs tax.
Enya is the winner both affordability and sound quality
By the way, you deserve more subs. I really like the way you present subjectively and objectively issues.. Cheers to more subs.
Thanks! I appreciate that. It's a slow process; the channel is slowly growing. I know that I can buy subscribers (which in turn generates more subscribers and views), but I'm letting the growth grow organically. My focus is to provide quality content, and I know that over time, the channel will keep growing. I'm just pleased to be earning a small (VERY small) income from this work finally. I'll have a video about that soon.